Barredo’s inspiring story

The Philippines has participated in seven Paralympics since 1988 in Seoul and the harvest has been lean with only two bronze medals to show. Adeline Dumapong bagged a bronze in the 82.5 kilogram category of powerlifting at the 2000 Games in Sydney while Josephine Medina also claimed a bronze in the singles class 8 event of table tennis in Rio this year. The Philippines was represented by three Paralympic athletes in 1988, one in 1992, two in 2000 and 2004, three in 2008, nine in 2012 and five in Rio. No athlete was sent in 1996.

Despite the Philippines’ dismal performance, the country has been recognized as a vanguard of Paralympism mainly because of National Paralympic Committee of the Philippines (NPCP) and Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (Philspada) president Mike Barredo’s tireless efforts to champion the cause of athletes who are physically and mentally challenged.

Barredo, 61, was a varsity athlete in basketball, volleyball, football, track and chess during his elementary, high school and undergraduate years at La Salle. At the age of 24 in 1979, he figured in a car accident that took away his eyesight. Barredo smashed into a parked car at an unlit portion of the street in front of Rizal Memorial. It was 2 in the morning and Barredo overtook from the right in a hurry to get home. His head banged against the windshield of his car which was a total wreck. His right eye was beyond repair and for a while, doctors tried to save the vision in his left eye. Barredo underwent at least 10 operations, including three in the US, to save the eye but to no avail.

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Barredo’s wife Barbara was pregnant with their second child at the time of the accident. So when their second son Richard was born, Barredo would never be able to see him. Ironically, the impairment gave Barredo a new meaning to life. He could’ve died in the accident but God spared him for a reason. Barredo made a life-long commitment to be an inspiration to those who are differently abled, in particular athletes because of his own background in sports. He could’ve sulked and felt sorry for himself but instead, took the high road to become a leader of the disabled sector.

Barredo, who is involved in insurance and trucking, was determined to live a full life in spite of his impairment. His success has led to numerous citations, including the TOYM award for humanitarian service, induction into the La Salle Sports Hall of Fame and the Apolinario Mabini award for business. At the 2012 London Paralympics, he was bestowed the honor of awarding medals in athletics, swimming and team sports events and a year later, received the prestigious Paralympic Order from the International Paralympic Committee, the highest tribute to an individual for supporting the Paralympic Movement, in a ceremony in Athens.

For over 12 years, Barredo lobbied to include differently abled athletes in the scope of coverage of the Sports Benefits and Incentives Act. Late last year, his long campaign came to an end with the passage of a new consolidated law that includes benefits and incentives for athletes with disabilities.

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A month ago, Barredo was in Bangkok to attend the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) Executive Board meeting and General Assembly where 33 nations were represented. During the gala dinner to highlight the convention, Barredo was awarded the Asian Order and received a plaque and certification from APC president Dr. Majid Rashed of the United Arab Emirates. The Asian Order is the highest APC honor awarded to a person “who has illustrated the APC ideals through his or her actions, has demonstrated outstanding achievement in their sport or has given outstanding and long-lasting services to the APC cause.”

Barredo was cited for his passion “to advocate the importance of ‘Sports For All’ especially for those with a disability as it develops self-confidence, heightens self-esteem and strengthens the competitive spirit.” He was also recognized as a former International Blind Sports Federation world president from 2005-13 and one of the founding board members and vice president of the APC. There were only three Asian Order awardees this year, indicating the exclusivity of the honor.

Congratulations to Barredo for continuing to inspire those who are mentally or physically challenged not only in the Philippines or in Asia but also all over the world with his passion and commitment to be of service to the differently abled.